Apparatus for supporting horizontal rotating cylinders



Nov. 21, 1967 H. F. SILVER 7 3,353,880

APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING HORIZONTAL ROTATING CYLINDERS 5 sheets sheet 1 Filed Sept. 27, 1965 HH I H A m I II I lllljlll mm llll INVENTOR Mama/a7 E, i1ver Nov. 21, 1967 H. F. SILVER 3,353,880

APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING HORIZONTAL ROTATING CYLINDERS Filed Sept. 2.7. 1965 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 wvvflvrol? Haraid E SW V091 Nov. 21, 1967 H. F. SILVER 3,353,380

APPARATUS FOR SUPPQRTING HORIZONTAL ROTATING CYLINDERS Filed Sept. 27, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 m VEN TOR Haraid Fa $1"! We!" Nov. 21, 1967 H. F. SILVER 3,353,880

APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING HORIZONTAL ROTATING CYLINDERS Filed Sept. 27, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I //v VE/V r01? Harald [Fl i1ver Nov. 21, 1967 H.F.s|LvER 3,353,880

APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING HORIZONTAL ROTATING CYLINDERS Filed Sign. 27, 1965 i 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig 6 United States Patent Office 3,353,880 Patented Nov. 21, 1967 APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING HORIZONTAL ROTATING CYLINDERS Harold F. Silver, Denver, Colo., assignor to American Factors Associates, Limited, Honolulu, Hawaii, a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 27, 1965, Ser. No. 490,334 16 Claims. (Cl. 308-204) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A roller support assembly for a rotary cylindrical member such as a diffusion tank where spaced sets of rollers are arranged on opposite sides of a vertical line through the axis thereof and each roller is separately supported for movement toward and away from the cylindrical member. A hydraulic drive and control arrangement is provided to separately bias each roller and maintain a substantially uniform pressure on each roller.

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for supporting rotating cylindrical members and particularly to improvements in methods and apparatus for supporting large pieces of cylindrical apparatus which are substantially horizontally disposed such as rotary kilns, rotary cylinders, rotary diffusers and the like.

Current trends in process equipment are toward very large vessels for all types of unit processes. As an example, the cement industry uses large, very heavy rotary horizontal kilns which apparently provide certain advantages over the use of several smaller kilns. In the beet sugar industry, one type of vessel used to leach or diffuse the sugar content from sliced beets (commonly referred to as cossettes) is a rotary diffuser, a type of a cylindrical vessel. The vessels in these particular industries have been made in very large sizes, e.g., cement kilns have been made on the order of ten to twenty feet in diameter and of a length well in excess of a hundred feet. Diffusers for sugar beets have been made in sizes up to about twenty-five feet in diameter and a length in excess of a hundred feet. A

cement kiln must ordinarily be lined with a refractory and, when loaded with the material for sintering, the unit is quite heavy. A diffuser, which is usually filled with a leaching liquid, beet juice and sliced beets, is also quite heavy. These units may weigh well in excess of a million pounds. Such cylindrical equipment is mounted generally horizontally, in relation to the axis of the cylinder, and is rotated slowly. Economically, the size of the equipment and the loads carried do not permit the unit to be made with a perfectly round exterior, and the supports of such units must take this into consideration.

Supporting such heavy pieces of equipment for rotation requires precise alignment, and the use of fixed, rotatable supports or bearing assemblies produces substantial problems in maintaining alignment of the particular unit on the supports. Also, since the units are quite large and quite heavy, a series of bearing supports must be provided around a portion of the periphery of the cylindrical member to prevent an undue concentration of weight on the rollers or supports. Defects in the circular form of the periphery of the cylindrical member change the weight bearing on each of the individual supports, causing further problems with alignment of the cylindrical member in its rotation.

According to the present invention I have provided a method and an apparatus for supporting heavy cylindrical members for rotation in a generally horizontal position. The device of the invention includes a series of sets of small wheels which support the cylindrical member at spaced positions, and each set consists of a plurality of the wheels bearing against a substantial portion of the periphery of the cylindrical member at that point. Each roller is mounted in association with a hydraulic cylinder, and the hydraulic cylinders of each set are interconnected so that all rollers of the set bear against the surface of the cylindrical member with the same force. The invention provides means for vertical adjustment of the cylindrical member as well as lateral adjustment of the cylindrical member on its mount of the sets of plurality of supporting wheels. This provides for a balanced load on the supports.

It is, therefore, included among the objects and advantages of the present invention to provide apparatus for supporting horizontal cylindrical members for rotation and to the method of uniformly supporting such cylindrical members on each of a plurality of rollers insets at spaced points on the peripheral surface of the cylindrical member.

Another object of the invention is to provide sets of rollers supporting a generally horizontal cylindrical member, each set including a plurality of rollers each having a hydraulic cylinder associated therewith to provide a uniform bearing of the rollers of each set.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention may be readily ascertained by referring to the following description and appended illustrations in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevational view of a rotary cylinder arranged for horizontal rotation, illustrating the type of apparatus to which the present invention may be applied;

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a roller support system according to the invention taken along section line 12-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a roller assembly, according to the invention, which is arranged to be utilized in a series to support a horizontal rotary cylinder;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the roller assembly of the device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the roller taken along section line 55 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a hydraulic system showing the interconnection of series of rollers of the invention for supporting a horizontal rotating cylinder.

In the device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a rotary cylindrical member 10 is supported by means of rollers,

shown in FIG. 2, mounted on spaced apart base or cradle supports 12 and 14. A feed or discharge mechanism, shown in general by numeral 16, at one end provides feed into or discharge from the cylindrical member and a mechanism 18 at the opposite end performs the other function. The cylindrical member may be a kiln, diffuser or the like, but in the illustration, a cylindrical diffusion tank for leaching sugar beets is illustrated. The feed end is arranged to feed sliced beets into the cylinder and the discharge member provides for the discharge of the depleted beet slices. A line 20 provides means for introducing fresh leachsolution into the depleted beet discharge end of the diffuser and the enriched beet juice is withdrawn from the feed end. Process tanks 22 and the like are shown at the left-hand end of the diffuser.

Since the invention does not relate to the feed, discharge or processing of the material passing in the diffuser, the brief explanation is believed adequate for illustration purposes.

A bearing or support band 25 adjacent one end of the diffuser and a bearing band 2.6 adjacent the opposite end is arranged to provide a track for support rollers for the diffuser. A drive mechanism and thrust bearing set, shown in general by numeral 28, is mounted adjacent one of the support cradles 14; however, this is not a part of the inventive concept of this invention and it is sufficient to point out that this is arranged to rotate the cylinder 10.

The cylindrical member illustrated is supported by four sets of rollers, with six rollers in each set. Each set includes two series of three rollers mounted in side-by-side position so that one series of three bears against one track of each bearing band and the other series of three bears against the other track of the band and both on the same side of the cylindrical member in relation to a vertical line through the longitudinal axis of the member. As shown in FIG. 2, the rollers 30a, 30b and 30c are three rollers of one set of six mounted in position A in the cradle 14 and in position so that the three bear against the periphery of track 25a of the band 25 through about a 45-degree arc, the other series of three rollers are mounted in position B in the cradle bearing against track 25b. Another set of six rollers are mounted on the opposite side of the vertical center line, FIG. 2, and the three visible are shown as rollers 35g, 30h and 301 mounted in position A in the cradle; the other three rollers of the set not being visible.

Each of the rollers in each set is made substantially identical and the description of one may be considered a description of all the rollers.

Each roller assembly includes a base 31 having an overlying wheel support plate 33. A brass plate 32 is secured to the plate 33 and provides a bearing plate between the two. The plate 33 is pivotally attached to the base 31 by means of a ball joint assembly 34 which includes a ball bushing 35 threadedly mounted into the plate 31. A bearing race 36 is mounted on the plate 33 to provide pivotal movement between the plates 31 and 33. The bearing is enclosed for retaining a charge of grease. A circular O-ring seal 38, FIG. 5, provides a barrier for a circular portion of the joint between the lower plate 31 and the brass plate 32. In instances, lubricant under pressure may be injected inside the O-ring to provide a floating top plate. A pair of jack screws, shown in general by numeral 39, on opposite sides are secured in the base 31 and are arranged to bear against a top plate 33 for pivotal adjustment of the top plate 33 in relation to the base 31. When used as a floating roller support, the jack screws are retracted so that the carried roller casters, automatically aligning with a mounted cylindrical member.

A pair of upright supports 40 and 41 are secured to the top plate and depend normally thereto, to provide a bracket for a pivot pin 44 at one end of the top plate 33. The pivot pin 44 is pivotally mounted between a bearing assembly 45 at each end thereof. Each bearing assembly is provided with a grease fitting 46 for applying grease to the bearing. Mounted on the pivot pin is a yoke 47, which is a substantially U-shaped member, with the legs secured to and depending from the pivot pin. A pair of opposed bearing sets 50 and 51 are mounted on the yoke, supporting the shaft 52 for a support wheel 53. The yoke, and the carried wheel, is therefore arranged for pivotal movement about the pivot pin 44. A shield 55 is mounted around the lower portion of the wheel, being fastened to the pivot pin housing and to the front of the yoke so as to pivot with the wheel 53.

limited oscillation on plate 33 and the cylinder moves reciprocally in relation thereto. The cylinder is a singleacting cylinder, that is, hydraulic fluid is only injected between one end of the piston and the head of the cylinlder. Thus, as hydraulic fluid is injected into the cylinder,

the cylinder rises on the piston. It is the weight of the unit on the wheel that tends to return the cylinder to its down position. The periphery of the roller 53 rests against a track, such as 25a, around the periphery of the diffuser supporting the same in rotative position.

The hydraulic circuit of the support system is shown in FIG. 6, where a motor 70 drives a pump 71 for sup plying hydraulic fluid under pressure to the cylinders. A filter system is provided for filtering the hydraulic fluid at all times, and the system shown is a bypass system from one filter to the other. In this instance, a filter 75 and a filter 76 may be alternately used whereby a filter is always in the line. The filter 75 may be used by opening valves 77 and 78 and closing valves 79 and 80 which cut off the filter 76. In a like manner, the filter 76 may be used by closing valves 77 and 78 and opening valves 79 and 86. A line 82 extends from the filter system to each line for a set of six rollers which support the diffuser. The four sets of six rollers each are independent of each other insofar as control for the rollers is concerned. A valve 83 controls the line 88 to the system C, representing one set of six of the roller supports consisting of a group of three designated by A and a group of three designated by B. A similar valve (not shown) is in line 85 which supplies another set of six rollers, designated by the block D. In a similar manner, a valve (not shown) in line 86 may be used to supply the roller set designated by block E, and a valve in line 87 may be used to supply the roller set designated by block F. Each of the blocks D, E and F represents a roller set which is the same as that of the illustration of block C, and the same description applies to all systems. The line 88 from the valve 83 extends through two crosses 94 and 95 and a T 96. The lines from the crosses and the T communicate with a valve designated 91a to 91 respectively, ahead of each cylinder. Each of the cylinders is mounted in the manner shown in FIGS. 3-5 to a support wheel, each wheel or roller of the set C being designated 30a through 30f, respectively, attached to their cylinders. The valves designated 91 are normally open so that the hydraulic system downstream from the valve 83 is normally open, the cylinders are in parallel and the same pressure is exerted on each of the cylinders. The valves designated 91 are useful .for cutting out one roller in the event of malfunction. Thus, the other rollers remain in operation supporting the diffuser.

For operating the support system, the hydraulic fluid is passed through the line 82 into the respective systems of cylinders. The valves on the lines going into the sets of rollers are used to control the amount of hydraulic fluid injected into each roller system and are used to shut oif the particular system as desired. The amount of hydraulic fluid injected into each of the systems determines the height of the rollers and thus each set may be adjusted according to the particular diffuser. Furthermore, since each of the six rollers of each set is in parallel, additional weight or pressure on one roller will depress its cylinder forcing hydraulic fluid into the other five rollers and distributing the extra weight or pressure. The added weight may occur due to the track being out of-round, etc. By having the rollers supported in parallel hydraulically, the weight is equally distributed at all times on the rollers in a group.

In addition to providing uniform distribution of weight on the rollers, alignment control of the cylindrical memher is obtained. Thus, the vertical or horizontal positioning of the cylinder may be controlled by increasing or decreasing the amount of hydraulic fluid in the various sets of rollers. For example, if it is desired to shift the center line of the diffuser, FIG. 2, to the right, the sets C and D shown in FIG. 6 are raised, 'or sets E and F may be lowered. Also, by raising or lowering one or more of the sets of six, the axial alignment of the rotation may be readily controlled.

In addition, the castering of the supporting rolls can be used to relieve axial thrust developed by the rotation of the cylinder. It is known that with fixed rollers on cement kilns and the like the rollers on opposite ends are often toed in to control axial positioning with consequent additional fir-iction between the rollers and the, track and accompanying greater wear. With the castered roller assembly of this invention the roller is enabled to swing into position without creating any axial thrust. The direction of the rotation of the cylinder, of course, has to be such that the castering action is in effect.

In the sugar beet industry, a dilfuser is operated substantially less than year round and the present system permits a fast and relativelyeasy start-up. The invention including the roller support assembly provides added protection against corrosion during down time, reducing start-up maintenance.

While the invention-has been described by reference to a particular embodiment, there is no intent to limit the spirit and scope of the invention to the precise details so set forth except as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A roller support system for a rotary, generally horizontally disposed cylindrical member comprising at least two spaced sets of rollers supporting a cylindrical member in rotative position; each set of rollers arranged to contact the cylindrical member on opposite sides of a vertical line through the axis thereof including a plurality of rollers, each roller of the set being separately supported for movement toward and away from the cylindrical member; a hydraulic cylinder operatively associated with each roller arranged to bias said roller toward the cylindrical member; and hydraulic line means connecting each cylinder of each roller set for maintaining substantially the same pressure in each cylinder of the set whereby each roller continuously supports a substantially uniform portion of the weight of the rotating cylindrical member.

2. A roller support system according to claim 1 wherein each said cylinder is a single acting cylinder.

3. A roller support system according to claim 1 wherein each said roller is arranged for separate movement generally along radial lines of said cylindrical member.

4. A roller support system as set forth in claim 1 wherein each said roller is pivotally mounted adjoining the peripheral surface of the roller moving in an upward direction and adjustably supported adjoining the peripheral surface of the roller moving in a downward direction during rotation imparted by said cylindrical member rotating thereon.

5. A roller support system for a rotary, generally horizontally disposed cylindrical member comprising at least two spaced apart pairs of sets of rollers supporting a cylin drical member in rotative position; each set of rollers arranged to contact the cylindrical member on opposite sides of a vertical line through the axis thereof and each pair of sets being spaced lengthwise of the cylindrical member and each said sets including a plurality of rollers, each roller of the set being separately supported for move ment generally radially toward and away from the cylindrical member; a single acting hydraulic cylinder operatively associated with each roller arranged to bias said roller toward the cylindrical member; and hydraulic line means connecting each cylinder of each roller set for independently maintaining substantially the same pressure in each cylinder of each set whereby each roller of each set continuously supports substantially the same amount of weight as the other rollers of that set.

6. A roller support system for a rotary generally horizontally disposed cylindrical member comprising at least two spaced pairs of sets of rollers supporting a cylindrical member in rotative position; each set of rollers including a plurality of rollers arranged to contact a portion of the periphery of the cylindrical member on one side of the vertical dividing line through the cylindrical members axis; each roller being mounted in a frame and each said frame being pivotally mounted at a point beyond the rollers periphery to permit pivotal movement of the roller toward and away from the cylindrical member; a hydraulic cylinder spaced from said pivotal mount thereof and arranged to engage a portion of said frame oppositely of said pivotal mount to bias said roller toward the cylindrical member; hydraulic line means connecting each cylinder in each set providing an open line between each hydraulic cylinder in each set so as to maintain the same pressure in each hydraulic cylinder in the set; and means for individually pressurizing each set of hydraulic cylinders inclusive of means for maintaining such pressure on each said set.

7. A roller support system for a rotary generally horizontally disposed cylindrical member comprising at least two spaced pairs of sets of rollers supporting a cylindrical member in rotative position; the sets of each pair of rollers mounted on opposed sides of the vertical dividing line through the axis of the cylindrical member and including a plurality of rollers arranged to contact a substantial portion of the periphery of the cylindrical member; each roller being mounted in a U-shaped frame and each said frame being pivotally mounted by its legs at a point beyond the rollers periphery to permit pivotal movement of the roller generally radially of the cylindrical member; a hydraulic cylinder mounted on said frame spaced from said pivotal mount thereof and spaced from the periphery of said roller and arranged to engage a portion of said frame oppositely of said pivotal mount to bias said roller toward the cylindrical member; hydraulic line means interconnected toeach cylinder in each set providing an open line between each hydraulic cylinder in each set so as to maintain the same pressure in each hydraulic cylinder in the set; and means for individually pressurizing each set of hydraulic cylinders inclusive of means for maintaining such pressure on each said set.

8. A roller support structure comprising a base having a planar surface area; a roller support plate juxtaposed above said planar area of said base; pivotal means connecting said plate to said planar area of said base to permit pivotal movement of said plate across said planar area in substantially one plane; seal means arranged between said base and said plate providing a lubricant-tight area therebetween; and opposed adjusting means mounted on opposed sides of said base remote from said pivotal means bearing against said plate for adjusting the position of said plate on said base.

9. A roller support structure comprising a base having a planar surface area; a roller support plate juxtaposed above said planar area of said base; enclosed pivotal means connecting one side of said plate to one side of said planar area of said base to permit pivotal movement of said plate across said planar area in substantially one plane; means for inserting lubricant in said enclosed pivotal means; seal means arranged between said base and said plate providing a lubricant-tight area therebetween; and opposed adjusting means mounted on opposed sides of said base remote from said pivotal means bearing against said plate for adjusting the position of said plate on said base.

10. A roller support structure according to claim 8 wherein said seal means is arranged to support a substantial pressure to provide a floating plate to permit a carried roller to caster.

11. A roller support system for supporting a rotary, generally horizontally disposed cylindrical member comprising at least two spaced pairs of sets of rollers supporting said cylindrical member in rotative position; the roller sets of each pair mounted on opposite sides of a center line through the cylindrical member and including a plurality of rollers mounted peripherally of said cylindrical member, said rollers being separately supported and arranged for reciprocal movement along generally radial lines toward and away from said cylindrical member; a hydraulic cylinder operatively associated with each roller and arranged to move said roller toward and away from said cylindrical member; a hydraulic line connecting each cylinder of each roller set in open communication so as to maintain the same pressure in each hydraulic cylinder of each set of rollers; means for supplying hydraulic fluid to each said hydraulic line; and valve means arranged to seal said hydraulic line to each roller set for maintaining the same pressure on each of the hydraulic cylinders of said set.

12. A roller support system according to claim in which each pair of sets of rollers extends about 90 of the periphery of said cylinder.

13. A roller support system according to claim 10 in which said sets are arranged in two rows of three each.

14. A roller support system for a cylindrical diffusion tank for leaching sugar beets and the like generally disposed in a horizontal position comprising at least two spaced sets of rollers supporting a cylindrical diffusion tank in rotative position, each set of rollers being arranged to contact an undersurface portion of the periphery of the cylindrical tank on opposite sides of a vertical line through the axis, each set of rollers including a plurality of rollers, each roller of the set being separately supported for movement toward and away from the diffusion tank, a hydraulic cylinder operatively associated with each roller arranged to bias said roller toward the diffusion tank, and hydraulic line means connecting each cylinder of each roller set for maintaining substantially the same pressure in each cylinder of the set whereby each roller continuously supports a substantially uniform portion of the weight of the rotating diffusion tank.

15. A roller support structure comprising a base arranged for movement in a horizontal plane, upright supports disposed on said base, a roller mounted for rotation while supported in a frame, said frame being pivotally mounted at one end portion on an upper portion of said upright supports at a point beyond the rollers periphery to permit pivotal movement in a vertical plane, and hydraulic means supported on said base at a point beyond the rollers periphery and oppositely of said pivotal mounting and engaging the other end portion of said frame so as to move said roller upwardly and downwardly in said vertical plane.

' 16. A system for supporting a cylindrical member on support rollers comprising means for mounting at least a pair of spaced sets'of rollers in a position to contact the peripheral undersurface of a cylindrical member, means for mounting the sets of each pair of opposite sides of a vertical dividing line longitudinally of the member, means for separately mounting each roller for movement toward and away from the cylindricalmernber generally along radial lines, means for disposing ahydraulic cylinder in contacting relation to the support for each said roller for activating movement of the same toward and away from the cylindrical member, and means for hydraulically connecting the hydraulic cylinders of each set in open communication with each other but independent of the hydraulic cylinders of the other sets.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,701,648 2/1955 McBath 214-340 2,894,450 7/1959 Steinitz 101-124 ROY D. FRAZIER, Primary Examiner.

F. DOMOTOR, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A ROLLER SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR A ROTARY, GENERALLY HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED CYLINDRICAL MEMBER COMPRISING AT LEAST TWO SPACED SETS OF ROLLERS SUPPORTING A CYLINDRICAL MEMBER IN ROTATIVE POSITION; EACH SET OF ROLLERS ARRANGED TO CONTACT THE CYLINDRICAL MEMBER ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF A VERTICAL LINE THROUGH THE AXIS THEREOF INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF ROLLERS, EACH ROLLER OF THE SET BEING SEPARATELY SUPPORTED FOR MOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM THE CYLINDRICAL MEMBER; A HYDRAULIC CYLINDER OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH EACH ROLLER ARRANGED TO BIAS SAID ROLLER TOWARD THE CYLINDRICAL MEMBER; AND HYDRAULIC LINE MEANS CONNECTING 